Ottomar C. “Ottie” Spence, 95, a resident of Silver Creek Terrace and formerly of 560 Etheldale Avenue, St. Marys, passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at the Silver Creek Terrace.
He was born September 24, 1920, in St. Marys, son of the late Harry W. and Louisa L. Schaut Spence. He was a lifelong resident of the area, attended St. Vincent Preparatory School from 1935-1936, and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1938. He was part owner of St. Marys Precision Homes, where he worked as an out-of-town salesman.
On May 31, 1948, in the St. Ann’s Church in Erie, Ottie married Eileen D. Downing, who survives. He was married to the love of his life for 68 years.
Ottie is also survived by four daughters, Marlene Lett and her husband Bryan of Reading, PA, Ann Bly of Pembroke Pines, FL, Gail Crosbie of Davie, FL, and Mary Palmer and her husband David of Gibsonia, PA; two sons, Jeffrey T. Spence of St. Marys and Richard E. Spence of Gibsonia, PA; 15 grandchildren, Jayson Lett, Adam Lett, Angie Ruff, Jared Lett, Peter Spence, Michael Spence, Patrick Spence, Megan Crosbie, Spencer Crosbie, Anthony Crosbie, David Spence, Taylor Spence, Lauren Spence, Austin Palmer, and Sydney Palmer; 11 great grandchildren; and a sister, Sandra Assalone of St. Marys.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Louise Francis; a brother, Richard L. Spence; two sons-in-law, Larry Bly and James Crosbie; and by two daughters-in-law, Karen Spence and Michele Spence.
Ottie was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and was a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, serving in WWII in the Pacific Theatre. He was a volunteer at the Christian Food Bank and the Sacred Heart Social Committee. Ottie was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the CMF, and the East Erie Turners. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Friday, August 19, 2016, at 12:00 PM, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, August 18, 2016, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Christian Food Bank, PO Box 1033, St. Marys, PA 15857, the Silver Creek Terrace, 791 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857, or to a favorite charity.